Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of...

January 5, 2013

Flu season is here with a vengeance with triple the number of confirmed cases.

With flu season at its peak, the Lee County Health Department is again recommending flu and pneumonia shots, especially for children, adults older than 50, and individuals who fall into certain high-risk categories.

We urge everyone to pay heed: According to health department statistics, in an average year, an estimated 226,000 people are hospitalized due to the flu. Thirty-six thousand die nationwide.

Private physicians, pharmacies and various entities, including the Health Department, offer flu shots.

The county Health Department offers the shots at its office at 3920 Michigan Ave. in Fort Myers. The immunization is $25 for adults; free for children under 18.

A little closer to home, on Jan. 7-9, the department also will provide the flu shots at its North Fort Myers office at 83 Pondella Road.

Meanwhile, there are things we can do to help limit exposure in the community.

The biggest thing, of course, is to stay home while exhibiting flu symptoms. The Centers for Disease control recommends that we stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, leaving only to receive medical care or obtain necessities.

This also means limiting contact with others as much as possible, lots of hand washing and covering during a cough or sneeze.

With numbers on the upswing, this year's flu season prognosis isn't the best.

But we can take action to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and we can help mitigate its spread.